Vitamins and our Body
Have you ever wondered why the word 'essential' usually precedes the term, 'vitamins'? The reason is simple. Vitamins as well as minerals ensure that our bodies function as they were designed. Interestingly, as important as vitamins are, the body lacks the ability to manufacture most on its own. Instead, it must rely on outside sources to meet its nutritional needs.
Vitamins are organic compounds and as such they're found naturally in many of the foods we consume. They're also available in the form of vitamin supplements. Thirteen different vitamins are needed to perform such crucial functions as helping protect against infections and disease, helping the body's metabolism, helping the body grow and helping the body remove waste.
Vitamins are a lot like building blocks. A healthy body is able to put these blocks together to create the enzymes and hormones that, among other things, control heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels and other chemical reactions.
How Much is Enough?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of the various vitamins is different depending on a person's age and current state of health. Women who are pregnant for example, need a different combination of vitamins to protect the fetus against birth defects. Adult men have different requirements than adult women. Children, teenagers and the elderly all have different nutritional requirements as well.
Thinking about food as a source of fuel is helpful. Give your body the right type of fuel and it will perform at optimum capacity. Fuel it with the wrong things, and over time, performance will begin to decline.
Problems Associated with Vitamin Deficiencies
Although perhaps not noticeable at first, vitamin deficiencies can lead to serious health issues further on down the road. Few people today eat what would be considered a nutritionally-balanced diet. Many in fact, have developed some pretty poor eating habits. High fat foods, processed foods, fast food and restaurant food have taken the place of healthy foods.
Because people can't see what is going on inside the body, it's difficult to get a good understanding of the negative effects a poor diet can have on the body. Generally, it's not until the body begins putting on excess weight that the effects start to become visually noticeable. But long before the excess weight settles in, trouble is already brewing inside.
What types of problems are associated with vitamin deficiencies? Insufficient Vitamin D can cause weak or even deformed bones. Not enough Vitamin E can lead to the destruction of red blood cells. Not enough Vitamin C can cause tiredness, weakness, sore muscles and can cause gums to bleed. An overall vitamin deficiency can even lead to death.
Vitamin supplements are an effective way to fill in the nutritional gaps caused by poor eating habits. But beyond that, the only accurate way of knowing if the body is getting enough vitamins is with a blood test. If you don't think you're getting enough vitamins, you probably aren't. Do yourself a favor and find out soon.
(ArticlesBase SC #500065)
Article Tags:
Diet
,vitamins
,Wellness
,Health
,weight loss
,Supplements
,Fitness
,Nutrition
,Importance of Vitamins
,John Spencer Ellis
,Health Expert
The Importance of Vitamin D
In this health video you will learn the importance of vitamin d for our bodies health. (04:20)
Why You Need Vitamin C
In this health video you will learn why your body needs vitamin C. (02:23)
When the Body Produces Vitamin D
Dr. Holick shares when the body makes vitamin D and it does this. (00:31)
How Much Vitamin C Do I Need
In this health video you will learn how much vitamin C your body needs. (00:54)
How to Know Your Vitamins Are Being Absorbed
Dr. Low Dog explains how a woman can determine her body is absorbing the vitamins she takes. (00:53)
Vitamin B12 helps in energy production by helping metabolize nutrients. It also works with folic acid to to produce DNA as well as red blood cells. This useful vitamin is also necessary for proper nerve function and helps in preventing the loss of calcium from bones and teeth.
Vitamin D is the only vitamin that the body is capable of producing on its own with exposure to sunlight. It helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus which helps build and maintain healthy bones.
Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin and works in the conversion process of blood sugars to glucose. It also helps the body break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Essential minerals are labeled as such because they are essential to maintaining human health. The major minerals and the trace minerals help the body perform many important bodily functions. Calcium and magnesium both help build strong bones and teeth. Iron is needed to produce red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Other minerals are needed to assist with the production of hormones, proteins and amino acids. The hair, fingernails, nerves, skin, muscles and all the major organs
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant and along with Vitamin C and Vitamin A can slow the aging process and can help prevent certain forms of cancer. It also lowers levels of LDL in the blood, which leads to better cardiovascular health. Vitamin E can also encourage the proper development of muscles.
Vitamin B3 is a versatile vitamin. It helps in the process of metabolizing fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Also, over 50 enzymes need B3 in order to function properly in the body. Niacin helps in blood circulation and reduction of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body. In addition, Vitamin B3 is needed to maintain a functional nervous and digestive system and also helps in the production of some hormones.
Unlike vitamins, minerals do not contain carbon and are therefore inorganic substances. Nevertheless, there are approximately 17 minerals that are necessary in the body for proper functioning of various bodily processes.
Seaweeds are a good source of low calorie food. They are consumed not only by humans but also by small fish and other marine life. Small fish and insects particularly eat seaweeds.
RippleCreek offers quality nutritional and health supplements at discounted prices. Herbal supplements from this online store may contain natural herbs for a better living. Some of the herbal supplements include Gingko Biloba, Feverfew, and Bilberry capsules. Intake of these vitamin herbal supplements mat fulfill the body's daily nutritional requirement and keeps you away from several diseases and infections.
Vitamins are one among the foremost necessary food groups and are vital for a healthy body and mind. With the changing world, our food habits aren't what they must ideally be and conjointly the result's usually a lack of vitamins in our bodies. All nutrients have their exact functions for the correct functioning of the body and absence of even one in all them is certainly a reason for concern. Here's what you would like to keep in mind if you wish to measure healthier and long...
Aging may be a common process, that every person experiences from their birth. Because the person grows older, their ability to method nutrients in their body decreases. Hence, the requirement to increase the nutrient intake arises. When an individual crosses the age of 70, their capacity of producing vitamin D is around 40%. Hence, the doctor advises people of this age to extend their intake of vitamin D. Heart disease and memory loss are the two main problems that differentiate a...
Since we generally tend to will not lead the life of total abstinence, the subsequent best choice is to attenuate the harmful effects of unhealthy food by taking within the daily dose of anti aging vitamins. * Common vitamins need to be taken The most common and vital vitamins needed by our body are Vitamin A, B, C, D and K. Each of these is terribly important for one reason or the opposite and thus the deficiency of even one amongst them can lead to di...
Dr. Kyl Smith, the inventor of Focus Factor, who has over 17 years of experience studying and developing cognitive-enhancing programs and products that have been founded on a platform of peer-reviewed scientific authentication, is the architect behind the formulation, development, and marketing of the new, revolutionary energy drink, FocusUP.
There are many advantages of fish oil supplements, too many to mention in fact so here are the main 5 that will help you live a longer and much healthier life.
A well-thought out routine should be effective after six months of intense effort.
The National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) is always trying to stay on top of the health and fitness industry by making innovative personal trainer certification programs and joint ventures with other companies who strive to make advances in the industry.
Yes! You can overcome stress! It may seem impossible, but it can be done. Take a look at these simple things you can do to start feeling better now, and things that you can do to get to the bottom of your stress.
While going for a nice walk can help lessen the feelings of stress, sometimes its better to get to the root of the problem rather than simply covering it up.
There are numerous ways to cure stress.
While some things may seem like the easy way out of dealing with stress: alcohol, smoking, drugs, sleep aids, even lashing out in anger... all of these will not help in the long run and should be avoided. Take some time getting to the root of the problem rather than simply covering it up.
Moderate alcohol intake, to be sure, can have beneficial effects. Research suggests that small amounts can even improve mental functioning and increase performance in problem solving while stressed. But, there are also studies that demonstrate that large quantities, particularly when consumed for long periods, actually worsens stress.
Along with regular exercise, a healthy diet can help lessen the effects of stress.
Exercise is a veritable gold mine when it comes to relieving stress. For one, it gives you a chance to "blow off some steam," and two, your body releases certain neurotransmitters, which can have calming effects on the mind.
Add new Comment
Comments on this article
0